Page 30 of The Penalty Box

“How are you doing?” Liam asks from the driver’s seat, looking at me wearily. He’s been doing it a lot during our short ride home.

“I’m fine, Liam,” I reassure him for what feels like the hundredth time. My hand goes to his gripping the gearshift and gives him a strong squeeze.

“If you want to go to the police we’ll—”

“No.” I stop him immediately. The last thing I want is to go to the police.

“Evie, heassaultedyou.”

His words make me tremble. I can still feel Noah’s hands on me. His lips devouring mine. And just the thought of them makes my skin crawl.

“I shouldn’t have given him the wrong impression. I shouldn’t have gone out with him in the first place…”

“You said no,” Liam grits. “No means no, Evie. That should have been enough.”

I sigh, leaning my head against the seat. “I know, I just… It feels like it’s my fault too.”

“How can it be your fault?”

“If I didn’t agree to that first date. If I haven’t given him hope maybe…”

Liam turns to me. His hand lands on my knee, giving it a firm squeeze. “No. Means. No. Every single time. This isn’t your fault.”

I swallow hard, the guilt I’ve been feeling since Liam came to my rescue subsiding even if only for a little bit.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“There is nothing to thank me for.”

“You’re wrong. If you hadn’t been there…” I shake my head, not wanting to think of what could have happened. I really do believe Noah isn’t a bad guy, but I can’t help but wonder… “Hey, how did you know where to find me?”

I turn to him just in time to see him cringe. He wasn’t at the party when we arrived—and as far as I know, he wasn’t supposed to come at all—so how was he at the right place at the right time?

“Umm… about that.” He gives me a small, sheepish grin. “I came to get you.”

“And I’m really thankful for that, but it doesn’t answer my…”

“No, Evie. I came to get you.” He says it slowly, emphasizing every single word. “I meant what I said earlier. I don’t want you to be with him, or anybody else for the matter.”

“What are you saying?”

He turns toward me, taking my hands in his. “What I’m saying is that I want you, Evie. As more than a friend. You’ll always be my best friend, but you’ve becomemoreand I’m done fighting it. I’m done being scared. I’m done pushing you away. I want you. I want to watch movies with you. I want to make silly jokes to make you laugh. I want to take you skating. I want to see your face in the stands on my hockey games. I want all we had before, but I want more. I want to be able to hold your hand. And take you out on a date. And I really,reallywant to kiss you.”

The words are falling off his lips so fast, like now, once he finally let them all out, there isn’t anything that can hold them back. His clammy palms hold hard on to mine and underneath the dim light of the streetlamp, I can see his cheeks are flushed.

“It’ll be really fucking weird if you don’t say something soon, Eves.” Liam chuckles, but it falls flat. Letting go of my hand, he runs it through his hair before it falls down into his lap. “I really messed up, but I want a chance to make things right between us. I can be the guy you need me to be if you—”

Disentangling our fingers, I grip his shirt and pull him toward me. His dark eyes grow wide in surprise just as our lips connect.

The kiss is soft, healing. My mouth brushes against his, tasting his lips, nibbling at the soft flesh.

Only when I pull back do I whisper, “You’re already everything I could ever need, Liam.”

“I’m probably going to suck at this,” he warns, his hands cupping my cheeks.

I press my forehead against his. “I don’t think falling in love with your best friend comes with an instruction manual.”

“I don’t need a manual.” Liam pulls me back so he can look in my eyes. “I just need you to promise me you’ll never give up on me.”

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